From Loose to Loc’d: Months 1 – 6

For years, I thought about loc’ing my hair. But I let background chatter and self-doubt keep me from doing it. Thoughts of “It’s so permanent” “what will you look like” “how will you style it” “you don’t know what you’re doing” filled my head and kept me from doing what I really wanted.

That changed for me in September of 2012 when I finally made the decision to loc my hair. I knew it was the right time, and cemented it by writing a letter to my loose natural hair.

My starter locs were super short! To go from BSL (bra-strap length) to hair that barely came past my ears was a big adjustment for me. In the first month, my locs were shiny, smooth, and bouncy. They appeared more like curls than starter locs since my hair was already long.

Month 2

In the second month, I experienced some ups and downs. This came from having unrealistic expectations. So many people said that it would only take 2 months for my hair to begin the loc’ing process. I didn’t experience that. I started to notice a little bit of fuzziness, but no initial loc’ing. But I was still excited, and wrote a letter to my starter locs.

Months 3 and 4

I felt my patience begin to wane in month three. This was the month that some of my hair should really start to loc! Or so I thought. As you can see from the picture below, I was experimenting with makeup, lipsticks, and ribbons/bows. Except for when I big chopped in 2004, I’ve always had long hair. For me, this was an awkward stage during which I couldn’t hide behind long hair. I was also trying to get my acne under control.

At the beginning of Month 4, my hair color had significantly lightened. Just check out my picture from Month 1 to see my original (and accidental) hair color. It was starting to grow on me, but I still didn’t love it. Since color loosens your hair texture, I was hesitant to lighten my starter locs to get the color I really wanted (which was a honey blond). This could possibly reverse any loc’ing that had begun to occur, and I wasn’t trying to do that. So I stuck with it.

Month 5

Welcome to month 5! My locs were growing and growing. The color was lighter. But people still couldn’t tell they were locs. Was my hair a coil-out? No. Is that a straw set? Nope. They’re locs, I would tell people as I lowered my head.

Month 6

That brings me to today. I got my first style, which I took down after 2 days because my scalp itched and I didn’t like it. But I am happy to report that tons of people complimented my color and locs during ‘Fro Fashion Week.

Have you recently loc’ed your hair?

How has your hair journey been?

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Tiffany D.

Tiffany is the creator of Natural Hair in the Media. She is always on the lookout for natural hair in commercials, advertisements, and on the runway.She currently lives in Atlanta, GA and is heavily involved in the natural hair community there. Her hobbies include traveling, writing, thrifting, working out and cooking. Check out her marketing blog dedicated to natural hair at http://www.naturalhairinthemedia.com.

Yea Heather! I’m glad to hear it. I hope you’ve learned something from my post. At the end of the day, I say: manage your expectations. Don’t listen to what other people say. Know that it MAY take a year for all of your hair to loc. Stay tuned to KCCM for more on my journey.

Tiffany

My Baby Girls Curls

I’ll be 8 years loc’d in May and I LOVE IT and have absolutely no regrets! I started loc’ing my toddlers hair last year, we made it to month 3 and I decided to hold off until she was a little older, so I combed them out…boy was that a challenge (http://mybabygirlscurls.blogspot.com/2012/11/and-then-there-were-none.html). Anywho, your locs look great and congrats on loc’ing.

naturalhairads

Thanks! And I’m so happy to hear that you have no regrets. I’m happy with my decision and I’ve accepted everything that comes along with it. From the fuzzies to the not so loc’ed locs, I take it as it comes. Any styling advice or tutorials you can provide would be appreciated,

Tiffany

SistarAcc

Thank you for sharing! I am approaching 6 weeks and definitely have the frizzy’s. Although challenging I sooo look forward to the end result.

naturalhairads

I can totally relate. At first, the fuzziness really bothered me. When my hair was loose, I couldn’t stand for fuzzy twist-outs. As soon as the fuzz started to creep back, I’d re-twist my hair at night to maintain definition. But now I embrace my fuzzies. I have to accept that they’re part of the process. I know that one day, my hair will fully loc, and I can really explore the versatility and just straight dopeness of locs.

piano-genius

Hi Tiffany, boy did you make some hefty progress in 6 long months. Judging by your facial expressions alone you were clearly uncertain in month one but styling it by month two. at month six it looks like you’d be loc’d and loving it for years haha. I started loc’ing a year ago. Had some shaky moments every step of the way but I don’t doubt I’ll be happy with it all in the end.

luvslow

Can you tell us a little bit about the cost associated with the initial loc then the maintenance of it so far? Thanks!

ZeRho Tolerance

I loved the post. I am thinking about starting my locs next year and it is great to see the change from loose natural hair to locs with pictures. Can’t wait to hear more about her journey.

NubianWriter

I really appreciate this post. I just started my locs this past Saturday and look forward to the whole journey. I’ve been wanting them for awhile and very happy with them. I definitely will take monthly pictures of my journey as well. Huge thanks for posting this.

queenbee9

So… I am curious..do you have to get your natural hair cut to get it locked? I have hair that is almost bsl and wanted sister locks but I would probably take a step back if I had to cut off all my hair until it was chin length or thereabouts to get locks–was the cutting a personal or cost choice or was it done for some other reason?

alexis

I keep going back and forth on loc’ing or wearing my loose natural hair..idk what to do…HELP!!!! LOL

Sophia Washington

You have to do what is best for you and what fits into your lifestyle.

Loc’d Butterfly

I say stick with it! I’m on my second set and 7 1/2 months in. My first set I kept for about 5 years. It gets better, trust me. It’s all about you being comfortable with who you are and who you see yourself to be. Best wishes!

Sophia Washington

No not recently, I started my locs 2 years ago. But I’m not too far ahead of you. 6 months, 1 year, goes by fast. At some point you may not notice growth but when you look back at picture it’s like (($_$)) my hair grow so much!! Congrats on reaching 6 months!

Chaquinta Sherwood

I too have recently started my locs — about 2 months ago. I am at the fuzzy stage and I absolutely love my hair. Stay encouraged and ignore the naysayers!!

Deb G

My son is about six weeks into his locs. You really have to have patience. I try to be supportive